Looney Moon Records have done a great job in bringing us Visionary System to our speakers. There is a good mix of artists appearing and each has their own psytrance credentials.

The comp kicks off with an inspiring track from Principles of Flight, named Insect Slush.
Digital Talk make their presence felt with Random Access. A track as solid as previous work they have released. Phatmatix add the retro but energy pumpin Adrenaline.

The CD hops along with tracks from Psymmetrix, Konflux and B55 with good elements but nothing major to shout about.
Lenz raise energy levels again with the complex Acid Mind but it is Access System from Junesix that really lays the groundwork here of a minimal but fresh psytrance take.

Killer B hammers away with a powerful but crazy Off My Nut and Nukleall finishes in style with Neural Connection, a slightly darker and more persistent beat affair.

There are some great elements in here but do you think that the long lead lines and repetitive crunchy noises a thing of the past, maybe?

Some very exciting music is coming out in 2008 and we are back in covering favourites and new stuff...

The Freaks Blast title originates from the long standing Portuguese psytrance festival. Trance Karma Records celebrates it's birth with this compilation of night-time psychedelic trance fest.

All the artists here deliver good quality tracks but Ocelot (Next Generation), Para Halu (Wasabi) and Brethren (Neo Cells) stand out from the crowd with better productions and writing.

Can't help to find GMS influences all over this album but the artists are making a decent effort towards originality. Featured here are Brain Train, Dragons, Guinea Pigs, Pirated Machines, Rawar and Tryambaka.

Would you like to hear more from these guys?

Party organisers Fineplay have released a very serious compilation in the name of 'The Beach 2007". I know what you are thinking. No, this is not a sequel to the puppy face Leo Di Caprio movie based in Thailand.

With Space Cat, Absolum and Pixel flagship tracks this is a heavy weight comp, no questions asked.
Does it deliver though?

Good vibes pour from the CD as soon as the opening track 'Power Supply' from Intersys vs Optical Vision kicks in. A powerful high energy vocal infused tune that works.

Space Cat have a strong presence with Life Guard and appear again with Pixel on Speedy Tours (this time remixed by Gataka vs Perplex).

Balck and White deliver but Beat Hackers lose the point. Absolum vs Concept throw you into 'The Dark Edge'. This might be fun in the night, but on a beach?

Out of Your Love is another great track bringing this compilation back to it's beach trance feel, high energy songs to lift you off the sand. Bizarre Contact, Phanatic and Electro Sun collaborating.

Seems thought that Dynamic steals the show with ending mega trancer 'Time to Get Serious'. He means business.

Is it not great to great to listen to these incredible tunes on a beach for a few days?

Escape the Winter!

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PsyTrance Music

Headstick records and Cujorious One have teamed up to deliver a dark, techy and mind controlling album. The Art of Mindfucking is the Danish artist's latest offering.

Cujorious has been around for some time but his sound had a more minimal approach. This album is bringing him closer to the psytrance sound of 2007. He manages to make his mark with tracks that are beyond his previous work.

In the Art of Mindfucking he takes us deep to his darkest secrets. The sounds are aggressive, with chainsaws ripping through. He dresses his backgrounds with chaotic melodies (some close to the familiar Tim Schuldt sound).

The beats and bass are well bound together with variations making the tracks strong and dancefloor orientated.

Speak To Me With A Friendly Beam, Depressed Mode and We Turn Our Faces Dirty are some of the best moments here.

Too dark? What do you think?

Whether you are a fan of Eat Static or not, you need to sample their sound to judge any of their albums. Their production and creative energy has heavily influenced psytrance, trance and electronic dance music in general.
De-Classified is no exception to this rule and the artists show their creative flare from the beginning.

The CD kicks off with Invasion, a retro style ambient track with all those spacy sounds that remind of chill-out trance in the 90s.

Sucker Unit signals the first introduction to a fuller sound with a unique structure and bleeps that bounce between 90s psytrance and today's minimal trance and house music.
Trantaloid keeps the rhythm in similar tones with a complex set of sounds that bring to mind older Koxbox tracks. A lot of sampling here including clever quotes as well as a subliminal conversation in the background.

Deadly Amphibian brings another twist with a muddy bass sound and a distorted noise drum element. Everything is mildly distorted and the sound is big and dominant without a strong kick.
Sin-Quest is more conventional in that it follows a pattern, stronger kicks, heavier sounds and percussion. The album is really taking off at this stage. This is a morning monster for any psytrance floor.

Tractor Beam is a very different affair. The jungle sounds and breakbeat base contains a fusion of lounge sounds great on a winter afternoon.
Pachama follows in similar steps and closer to what Ninja Tunes is outputting. A strange blend of eclectic sounds laid on top of a funky but twisted beat.

Visitors goes back to one of Eat Static's favourite subjects: alien activity. The music here reflects that mood and enters psytrance space once again. Strong beats with a driven sample set and more random bleeps.
Brassneck is similar in texture and drives the comp forward. Heavy use of 303s gives the track a retro look. Favourite melody unfolds here.

De-Classified is a free-form track with singing voices heavily sampled and a unique lounge feel. Nice touch for an ending.

Do Eat Static earn a top spot in the psytrance world?

The Antaris Project celebrates it's 13th consecutive year of gatherings in 2007. The German festival that takes place between the 20-23 July has grown into not just a respected event in the European summer party scene but has also established itself as one of the most significant.

The importance of this celebration is again reflected in the line-up this year.
Headlining are no others than GMS, Johann Bley and Star Sounds Orchestra. The list of DJs is equally impressive with Kai Mathesdorf, Alice D Joana, Beauty & the Beat, Klangstrahler & Tarzan and Magical & FM.

The alternative floor has grown even further with melodic trance maister Sangeet leading the live acts followed by Flugbegleiter and Symphonix. Some of the DJs taking part are no other than top notch German DJ Mapusa Mapusa, Yaniv, Phillip, Fred Freshroom and psytrance heart-throb DJ Doc (Candyplip Rec./Greece).


You might want to keep an eye out for the New Generation floor, a great Antaris initiative that hosts young talent so don't hesitate to catch up with the future.

What other events or features would be good to see in the summer trance festivals?

Spiral Trax is celebrating a re-launch after one years of silence on the psytrance scene. And what a better comeback than having top Israeli psytrance act and DJ Astrix on its books for the Future Music EP.

In classic Astrix style Future Music kicks off strong and the progressive beat blending with the psychedelic sounds marching forward.
Just in Time is a slower affair that builds up slowly for those morning hours.
Things are starting to get really interesting here when Brasilian virtuoso Wrecked Machines takes on Poison by Astrix. Explosive trance with a classic fat 'Nord Lead' sound and perhaps one of the hardest written by the artist.

The second surprise no other than psytrance leads GMS remixing Techno Widows by Astrix. GMS here give the track a good re-work with matching break downs and a squeaky acid drive all along.

Is this EP a mismatch or do you get the best of two styles of psytrance?

This year the No Man's Land Festival takes place on June 20-24, 2007 near Lake Laskovolgyi in small place called Egerszalok in Hungary.

The line up is impressive and there are live sets from Son Kite, Pixel, Element, Human Blue, Reefer Decree, Antix, Vibrasphere, Minilogue, Magnetrixx, Human Traffic, Cosmo, Shuma and True To Nature.

This is just the beginning though if you start adding the DJs such as James Monro, Mapusa Mapusa, Shane Gobi, Pena, Marcus vs Seb, Kristian, Edoardo, Stratos, Yoni, Doc, Oliver and Oleg.

If going away from the elbows, the lager louts and the wristbands of the commercial festival scene then think No Man’s Land in Hungary this month. The summer festival takes place during five days and six nights at the end of June. There are going to be three stages with over 90 acts booked to play. Mainly psytrance, progressive, electro, tech-house, ambient and chill-out with many star acts. There is more than the music though and the big names. The countryside location with the picturesque nearby Lake Laskovolgyi and Hungary's famous hot spring baths. There will also be markets, massages and widespread camping so go early to reserve a good space.

The music programme coexists with an international jugglers festival. Some of the worlds top jugglers will perform on stage while you can learn and participate in workshops with juggling experts. So don't repeat it at home! - No Man's Land

Are you going to any festivals this summer?

We were very surprised when we found the following report on the business section of the Times online:

"TWO DJs performed at the tenth birthday party of Twisted Records, which specialises in “psytrance”, according to its wildly hallucinatory website, an entirely new genre to me. They appeared at a trendy Southwark club the other day as the Baring Brothers.

Most of the 2,500-strong audience were probably too young to be aware that this was the (almost) literal truth. Simon (”Si”) is son of Francis Baring, who worked at the family bank. Tom is son of Oliver Baring, ex-SG Warburg, which makes them cousins, actually. Si works for Twisted, which is owned by Simon Posford, son of Stephen Posford, who was himself once managing director of Salomon Brothers. Tom works for the Fleming Family Partnership."

Times Online article.

Greek artist Ihor is releasing his debut album on Candyflip records. His unique blend of chill out music is well produced and there are signs of a musical talent apart from the obvious sequencing skills.

The recipe of the album is a blend of atmospheric, modern and ethnic ambient compositions to relax you and take away the day's stress.

Some of this music could work in a forest but the blueprint is lounge with heavy instrumental elements. The only track that beats up the tempo is the rolling First Contact.

The Ibiza style Paradise On Earth and the blues fused My Life With You stand out in quality and inspiration.

More albums like this or should chill out remain more trance-like?

The brand new studio album by Infected Mushroom 'Vicious Delicious' is out now. It has been two years since their last full psytrance artist work.

In Vicious Delicious Infected Mushroom push the envelope one step further. There is a unique blend of psy trance vibes combined with new cutting edge sequencing and the Israeli duo's signature production.

The music is a fusion of psytrance, funk, grooves and memorable samples and melodies. There is something in there for everyone. Don't be surprised to hear a collection of different approaches combining Thrash Metal riffs, Flamenco guitars and Hip Hop elements.

From the first track You Are Becoming Insane. Atmospheric sounds, clever bleeps and a dry sound that makes you stick to the dancefloor like a superglue accident.

Artilery takes centre stage as a leading innovating track with heavy hip-hop undertones, deep vocals and instrumental sounds. It is the first time as far as we know that a psy trance act is attempting this and whether you like hip-hop or not, you will like this one.

The title track Vicious Delicious is more of what you would expect from Infected Mushroom. Strong beats and melodies attack the ears, persistent sounds and chopped samples merge to form another hit in all the dancefloors near you.

Infected get Heavy Weight with the next track. A slower affair of folk sounding melodies combined with heavy guitars and a theatrical backdrop.

You might already have heard Suliman which is one of the most powerful tracks. Infected Mushroom are adding a touch of magic to produce yet another psy trance anthem that will stick in your head like a sore thumb.

Forgive Me (for leaving you alone/not staying anymore) seems like a sarcastic cry to all the traditional psychedelic trance fans. Its more U2 vs Fatboy slim then a goa outfit in Israel.

Playfully the music now returns to a Special Place, the core of the known Infected sound for all the loyalists.

(Why can't I see what's) In Front Of Me brings the Mushrooms back to their heavy metal side. The vocals on top give the track a euphoric feeling as a curtain to the moody lyrics.

According to Infected you need to Eat It Raw. The dry Benny Bennasi style beat is dressed with some progressive sounds and grows on you like a tree in the spring.

Things get more serious when you Change The Formality and again there is something here to lose your head to. The 'live' instruments add a notion of tranquility in the middle of psytrance mayhem.

The album concludes with Before. A strange U-turn to the anthemic side of Infected Mushroom and a great way to finish another monumental artpiece in psychedelic trance.

Needless to say that expectations of this album were very high. Do the trance maestros still got it?

According to the press release Mental Cruelty is a record label from Athens run by a female 'avantgarde person' that goes by the name Sofia X.

Intrigued by this bold statement we looked up the definition of 'avant garde'. It means unconventional or part of a highly innovative group in it's field. Having listened to this album we failed to spot anything 'unconventional' or ground breaking about this compilation.

Groups such as Claw, Phobos Azazel, Silent Horror, Kerberos, Cymazz, Babajelly, Narcosis, Jelly Horror, Merry Prankster, Psytour and 'avantgarde person' Sofia X are showcasing the darkest form of trance they can reach. Top of the pops here is Narcosis with their anthem Skata (it means shit in Greek).

There are enough sinister sounds, scary voices and dark samples but the compilation lacks both depth and production quality. More death metal than psytrance really.

Do you like your trance a little scary and devil-worshiping?

2/10

The Synergy Project in collaboration with Kundalini present a psy trance fest in London on the 30th of March.

The collective indoor festival that combines a mix of musicians, DJs, VJs and other artists has invited Kundalini, which in turn will present a line-up of well known psytrance artists.

There are live sets from Man Made Man and Telepathic whilst Dick Trevor (Green Nuns of the Revolution, Nano rec) and Andy Mason will be handling the main DJ slots. Titin Moraga, Hamish and Steve Kundalini are supporting this impressive gathering of artists.

One the chill-out side there are a series of live sets from the likes of Mirror System (aka System 7), I Awake, Krister Linder, Phuturiprimitive and Raychel Stone.

Would you go or should you go?

Yoyo Records releases another monumental compilation in the fourth run of the series Cyberdog. Psy-Fi Systems is mixed by Oforia and offers plenty of new hits from the top psy trance stables of the world's psychedelic scene.

The compilation kicks off with lots of energy with Homeless Fatali. But the vinyl goes on fire with anthemic and very vocal Inner Bright from Timelock. This is one to remember.

Infected Mushroom don't dissapoint with their remix of Merlin but next Basic take the sound to a higher dimension with the turbo ignited Virtual Space. The Freak Show make a 360 degree return to the classic sound of the 303, frankly not very interesting. Luckily the vibe recovers from the classic Return of the Machines, a collaboration between Oforia and BWicked.

Atomic Pulse vs Syrus the Virus are doing a good job with lifting the tempo with their Unreal track. There is a strong dose of retro trance here but dressed well in powerful melodies - Chakra and Edi Mis style. You can Feel the Vibration by Future Prophecy, that continue in similar style. Echotek are here too and they have a new aggressive dancefloor winner titled Strike Twice. Last but not least the maestros themselves are contributing The Prophecy. The talk is about Astral Projection that finish this compilation with an edge.

Overall this is quality melodic psy trance with very few weak moments.
7/10

Psytrance reached an all-time-high in 2006 with more releases and parties than ever before. The music genres success was evident in DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs in the world chart.
Infected Mushroom reached once more the highest position psychedelic trance ever witnessed since its humble beginnings at No12.
DJ Yahel followed at No28 with Astral Projection's Offer Nisim at No29!
Not very far Skazi appeared at No37 with Astrix on his tail at No41. And there is more:
Wrecked Machines entered in position 55 with legendary Simon 'Hallucinogen' Posford at 68.

It doesn't look long until the first psytrance DJ enters the top 10 and with such big wins for the music we love in 2006, what is going to happen in 2007?

Wired Music presents 'Find a Way', a CD compiled by Brazilian star DJ Noronha. Apart from being very well received in Brazil DJ Noronha is also very well connected and presents an impressive list of names that make up his mix.

GMS are the protagonists here as expected. Dream Machine is a confirmation of the power from this Ibiza based outfit.
Wrecked Machines (currently voted 55th best DJ in the world by DJ Mag readers) follows second with the well structured Check In.
Find a Way is a progressive atmospheric affair and third favorite from Audio X vs DJ Noronha.
Orbital Vision have a nice addition with the full on stormer Searching Reality, not a real original but very solid dance track.
2HI also stand out with well produced Victimized and Life Style make their presence felt with Wall Sound.
DJ Mack is involved in two productions here, first in Back in Town with Wrecked Machines and the second time with outstanding trancer Vitamine A in collaboration with Earthling.

Pretty cool combination, what do you think?

The Yellow Sunshine Explosion compilations have come a long way since the first releases of the Goa series.
DJ Bim and Yellow Sunshine Explosion today present Goa 2006 Vol4, another 'best of ' for modern trance.

Things get warmed up with Raggadum Style, a rasta ragga track by Aerospace.
DJ Martin kicks into four on four with persistent Lauschgift.
Yotopia throw in Blue Moon, another mild progressive build up.
The sound heads more psychedelic with tasty minimal trance by Der Eins Plus with Pantastic.
More progressive tracks here by Behind Blue Eyes and Lish.

The compilation really explodes though with Deedrah and their new wave stormer Take It Or Leave It.
Galactica vs Alexander Logows continue with the fierce and fast paced psytrance thriller Escape From Heaven.
Cosmic Tone send you away with the retro trance anthem I Volume and next Optokoppler dresses dark for Back Space.
A lot of good tracks from artists such as Gataka, Spectrum, Ziki, Crystal Sound, Illumination and Phanatic follow but the Pendulum rmx from Four Carry Nuts and The Bombe from Electric Universe stand out.

So Yellow Sunshine Explosion does it again.

6/10

Other Yellow Sunshine Explosion releases

• Yellow Explosion Tranceformers

Swiss Fractal records have put together Brain Chemistry, a compilation of psychedelic sounds and uplifting beats.

Sidhartha kick off in good mood with Brain Chemistry. Clear production and some infectious effects with a solid beat.
N3XU5 continue with the more downbeat morning trancer Confidential. Happy sounds and crisp samples.
Phonic Request vs Shagma have a different idea with The Magic Ring. A very psychedelic, melodic and eventfull track that builds up nicely and keeps the rhythm turbo. Perhaps the best track here.

Known outfit Elec3 contribute Uno Mass, an electric driven psytrance tune.
Don't know what Painkiller had in Mind but this one is a retro take on some psychedelia that resembles 1995 trance music.
Killer Buds vs Energetic have Unreal Dreams in a journey to mysterious sonic planes. Interesting track.
Sidhartha is back with night time High Pnossis.
Neuromotor vs Electrocult keep the night vibe with style. Some very cool deep sounds and bouny baselines drive this one.
Kali has a good Concept for ending this compilation in good form with a psy groove that keeps bouncing.

Looking forward to more.

6/10